Inch by inch test on body in woods

FORENSIC experts are working with murder squad detectives in a meticulous operation to uncover a body buried in woods. They have built scaffolding around the corpse to allow them to work above it without disturbing any potential clues on the ground.

FORENSIC experts are working with murder squad detectives today in a meticulous operation to uncover a body buried in woods.

They have built scaffolding around the corpse to allow them to work above it without disturbing any potential clues on the ground.

Freezing temperatures have helped by keeping the body preserved although some limbs are now showing above ground.

Detectives are convinced that the person in the grave is the victim of a crime - probably murder - as the body has been carefully buried relatively deeply.

It was discovered by a dog walker behind St Mark's vicarage, Walkden Road, Worsley, on Sunday when the pet started scratching at the ground and revealed a limb. It is not yet known whether the body is male or female but it is clear that death was several weeks ago.

Greater Manchester Police has a list of missing people from within its boundaries and from neighbouring areas. Det Supt Simon Barraclough said today: "I am aware a lot of families will be very concerned about the fact a body has been discovered.

Clues

"However, we would be doing no one any favours by rushing into this investigation.

"The most important thing at this stage is to ensure any clues as to what befell this individual are preserved and collected.

"Hopefully we will be in a position later today or tomorrow to remove the body and a Home Office pathologist will conduct a post mortem examination. Clearly, once we know his or her identity we will be able to move the investigation forward.

"This police force has probably more experience of exhumations than any other, not least because several officers have been out to Bosnia and Kosovo in the aftermath of conflicts, and I am confident we will retrieve anything pertinent.

"The fact that there was a deliberate attempt to bury the body points to the likelihood of crime but the investigation will, for the time being, be a slow process and at the moment it is an archaeological dig."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the incident room at Salford police station on 0161 856 5185 or the anonymous Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.